Delhi: Anti-drinking drive to continue even after Holi

The Delhi Police reiterated Monday that its stringent anti-drinking drive will continue after Holi too.

In a message on the Delhi Police page on Facebook, which has over 100,000 followers, Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Satyendra Garg said that the stringent drive will continue after Holi too.

A total of 585 "drunk drivers have been prosecuted within four days. City had 146 drunk drivers on Saturday and the same number of drunk drivers were caught on Sunday. You check them any day and they are there to be caught, to go to jail and of course get injured and may be dead," Garg posted.

"We are committed to a safe Holi and we will keep up the drive, maybe much beyond Holi," he added.

Garg further said it seems everyday is a irresponsible day and people would take chances on any day to drink and drive. "It is not that people drink and drive only on weekends. On any day, we are the same," said Garg.

According to Garg: "We will continue our drive to account for violations and I am sure jails will find space for these people so that on Holi, they remain locked up rather than create nuisance on roads for themselves and others."

Garg further said that the police will come down heavily on drunk drivers and those who are stubborn and won't obey will be jailed.

"If they do not change, we are there to send them to jail. This year, in just two months (January and February), nearly 700 people have been awarded jail terms," said Garg.

"It is amazing how people take risks. Jail, death, injury, nothing scares them," he added.

The union cabinet Thursday approved the Motor Vehicle Amendment Bill which has three categories and varying fines:

First category - 30-60 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood; first offence would attract a fine of Rs.2,000 or six months in jail or both.

Second category - 60-150 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood; first offence would invite a fine of Rs.4,000 or one year jail term or both. Second offence would attract a fine of Rs.8,000 or a three-year jail term or both.

Third category - over 150 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood; first offence would invite fine of Rs.5,000 or two years in jail or both. The second offence would attract a fine of Rs.10,000 or four years in jail or both. It could even lead to cancellation of the driving license.